Berlusconi, who was tried for paying for sex with underage women at “bunga bunga” parties, said that French actress Deneuve “spoke blessed words.” He said: “It is natural women are happy that a man courts them.

The 81-year old politician, who also owns Italian commercial broadcaster Mediaset, is mounting a political comeback ahead of forthcoming elections despite being barred from holding office because of his 2013 conviction for tax fraud and the fact that he is currently on trial accused of bribing witnesses.